The Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Monday empowered no fewer than 400 petty traders with over N20 million to mitigate current socio-economic hardship.
Mr Dele Oshinowo, Executive Chairman, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, said at the council’s monthly “WeLift 400 Petty Traders Initiative” that grassroots governance should be all about empowering the people and making life better for them.
The monthly scheme, witnessed by the Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, and top politicians saw the direct transfer of N50,000 cash support to 400 traders selected from various markets in the council.
“The WeLift initiative is designed to empower 400 residents of Agboyi-Ketu by providing them with a grant of N50,000 each.
“This financial support aims at enhancing their means of livelihood, alleviating their burdens, and paving the way for greater economic stability.
“This is what I have been doing in the last five years. Our “WeLift Empowerment Programme” has just taken a new dimension now with better methodology to ensure transparency.
“The rationale behind it is to lift people from abject poverty and alleviate their suffering.
“We have decided to help them with a token which we believe will have multiplier effects on their trade,” Oshinowo said.
The chairman said that his team went round markets and streets to do on-the-spot assessment of the market values of some traders, and those who met its criteria were selected to enjoy the gesture.
He saw: “Let us reaffirm our commitment to support the dreams and aspirations of every member of our community.
“Our administration will continue to be a pillar of support, fostering an environment where opportunity knows no bounds and every individual has the chance to realise their full potential.
“We will continue to do this, empowering our people is very important especially during this difficult time that our President is trying to put the country on the path of sustainable prosperity and progress.
“This is what we are doing and we are going to continue to do that till the end of my tenure.
“We will continue to empower our people, build infrastructure, improve on grassroots healthcare, help our youths and elderly people, and build our society and community.”
Expressing satisfaction with the feedbacks from past gestures, Oshinowo said that the success had been an encouragement to him.
Noting that the gesture had no political colouration, the council boss said that his team always engaged the community development associations.
In his remarks, the Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, commended Oshinowo for his giant developmental strides and populist programmes targeted at improving the welfare of the residents.
Ojelabi said that everyone, including the party’s state executive, had been watching Oshinowo’s initiatives for the betterment of the people, adding that the party was proud and not disappointed in the council boss.
“You are truly serving the people with all your strength and complementing the efforts of the state government, promoting and expanding the goodwill of our party.
“You are growing the economy and putting food on the table of the vulnerable.
“With these you are doing, you are securing a better future for yourself. Continue to do what you know how to do best, you shall be rewarded,” he said.
Also speaking, Chief Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, the APC Women Leader in Lagos State, lauded Oshinowo for prioritising the people above personal and political interest.
She said that she was impressed by the chairman’s records of help to the less-privileged.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke glowingly about the empowerment initiative, noted that their businesses had received a boost that would enable them survive the challenges.
Mrs Yemisi Ayeni, from Ward G, commended Oshinowo for the gesture, adding that it would go a long way to alleviate the current economic challenges.
Also expressing her joy about the initiative, Mrs Yinusa Adejoke, a Food Vendor, said, ” Oshinowo is doing well. He is always surprising us. May God reward him.”
The event was attended by APC state and local government executive council members, traditional rulers and other groups.(NAN).
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